Flood evacuation system for subterranean telecommunications vault

Abstract

An improved vault that facilitates the underground storage of electronic equipment, such as instrumentation for wireless telecommunications antenna systems. The vault preferably includes an flood evacuation system that prevents the electronic equipment from being submerged under water when the vault floods, a break-away lid to reduce or minimize injury, and a grated lid to prevent water from entering the main equipment chamber.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 483,332, filed Jun. 27, 2003, which application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to subterranean enclosures for electronic equipment and, more particularly, to a subterranean vault for underground storage of electronic equipment, such as instrumentation for wireless telecommunications transceiver systems, and an evacuation system that protects the equipment against flooding. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Public demand for wireless communications has grown at a tremendous rate. An increasing number of people rely on their wireless phones and other devices for an increasing number of uses including voice, messaging, data, video, and internet access. This enormous public demand has in turn fueled the need for additional carrier antenna sites to provide expanded wireless coverage to communit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] In an alternative embodiment, the vault includes a break-away lid releasably coupled to the equipment rack to prevent or minimize injuries in the case of the lid being lowered onto someone's foot or hand. Preferably, the break-away lid is attached to the equipment rack with a spring loaded coupling.

[0010] In another alternative embodiment, the vault includes a grated lid or top to control heat management of the vault without having to use external or internal cooling systems. The grated lid allows air to flow into vault vent chambers and out of the main equipment chamber due to a chimney effect to keep electronic equipment housed in the vault at its ambient air temperature. Preferably, the grated lid includes a plurality of elongate vents or slots extending the width of the lid and having a diverter that diverts water into a gutter. The gutter then channels out of the lid.

Problems solved by technology

In many municipalities the planning departments are unwilling to grant permit applications for unsightly tower installations.

The problem with any self-contained, sealed underground vault is that the telecommunications equipment enclosed therein generates heat, which ultimately damages or destroys the equipment.

Moisture, either from evaporation or flooding from rain, can also damage or destroy the equipment.

However, in the case of flooding, if the pump is unable to keep up with incoming flow of water, the telecommunications equipment can become submerged in water and ultimately damaged or destroyed.

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